The Ferryhill Philosophers

Duration

45 Minutes

45 Minutes

Genre

Drama

Drama

Station

Radio 4

Episodes

Episode

Title

FirstBroadcast

Comments

Drama

20160204

Joe's aged mother's a strong character - but now frail, going blind, and incapable of looking after herself properly. The solution is for her to leave her home of 50 years and move into care, but in truth she wants to die now, with dignity - and she wants Joe to help her do this.

Joe is wracked by indecision. What's more important - Bella's security and happiness, or doing what is the morally right thing? Meanwhile Hermione faces a challenge in the care of her elderly demanding Dad.

The Ferryhill Philosophers is about how we live our lives. A rather unlikely duo, Joe Snowball and the Hon. Hermione Pink inhabit two very different worlds, albeit only seven miles apart. He's an unemployed ex-miner living in Ferryhill, a small town forgotten by the world, and she's a slightly disenchanted philosophy lecturer at Durham University. Between them they wrestle with the collision between moral philosophy and the vexing dilemmas encountered by the not-always-good people of Ferryhill, deprived of jobs, opportunities and the kind of ethical guidance once offered by the Church and the Miners Unions.

The series stars Alun Armstrong (of TV's popular series New Tricks) and Deborah Findlay, currently starring in Caryl Churchill's new play at The Royal Court. Award winning writer Michael Chaplin works in consultation with philosopher and presenter of R4's The Philosopher's Arms, David Edmonds.

Written by Michael Chaplin

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4.

Joe's aged mother's a strong character - but now frail, going blind, and incapable of looking after herself properly. The solution is for her to leave her home of 50 years and move into care, but in truth she wants to die now, with dignity - and she wants Joe to help her do this.

Joe is wracked by indecision. What's more important - Bella's security and happiness, or doing what is the morally right thing? Meanwhile Hermione faces a challenge in the care of her elderly demanding Dad.

The Ferryhill Philosophers is about how we live our lives. A rather unlikely duo, Joe Snowball and the Hon. Hermione Pink inhabit two very different worlds, albeit only seven miles apart. He's an unemployed ex-miner living in Ferryhill, a small town forgotten by the world, and she's a slightly disenchanted philosophy lecturer at Durham University. Between them they wrestle with the collision between moral philosophy and the vexing dilemmas encountered by the not-always-good people of Ferryhill, deprived of jobs, opportunities and the kind of ethical guidance once offered by the Church and the Miners Unions.

The series stars Alun Armstrong (of TV's popular series New Tricks) and Deborah Findlay, currently starring in Caryl Churchill's new play at The Royal Court. Award winning writer Michael Chaplin works in consultation with philosopher and presenter of R4's The Philosopher's Arms, David Edmonds.

Written by Michael Chaplin

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4.

Joe's aged mother's a strong character - but now frail, going blind, and incapable of looking after herself properly. The solution is for her to leave her home of 50 years and move into care, but in truth she wants to die now, with dignity - and she wants Joe to help her do this.

Joe is wracked by indecision. What's more important - Bella's security and happiness, or doing what is the morally right thing? Meanwhile Hermione faces a challenge in the care of her elderly demanding Dad.

The Ferryhill Philosophers is about how we live our lives. A rather unlikely duo, Joe Snowball and the Hon. Hermione Pink inhabit two very different worlds, albeit only seven miles apart. He's an unemployed ex-miner living in Ferryhill, a small town forgotten by the world, and she's a slightly disenchanted philosophy lecturer at Durham University. Between them they wrestle with the collision between moral philosophy and the vexing dilemmas encountered by the not-always-good people of Ferryhill, deprived of jobs, opportunities and the kind of ethical guidance once offered by the Church and the Miners Unions.

The series stars Alun Armstrong (of TV's popular series New Tricks) and Deborah Findlay, currently starring in Caryl Churchill's new play at The Royal Court. Award winning writer Michael Chaplin works in consultation with philosopher and presenter of R4's The Philosopher's Arms, David Edmonds.

Joe and Hermione see the wife of Joe's friend with another man. What should Joe do? Tell his friend or keep quiet? Should we always tell the truth, especially when it almost certainly will have bad consequences? A moral dilemma in which Hermione's philosophical expertise is pitted against Joe's kindly humanity and knowledge of life. And when the dilemma's resolved, their friendship is strengthened too.

The Ferryhill Philosophers is about how we live our lives. A rather unlikely duo, Joe Snowball and the Hon. Hermione Pink inhabit two very different worlds, albeit only seven miles apart. He's an unemployed ex-miner living in Ferryhill, a small town forgotten by the world, and she's a slightly disenchanted philosophy lecturer at Durham University. Between them they wrestle with the collision between moral philosophy and the vexing dilemmas encountered by the not-always-good people of Ferryhill, deprived of jobs, opportunities and the kind of ethical guidance once offered by the Church and the Miners Unions.

The series stars Alun Armstrong (of TV's popular series New Tricks) and Deborah Findlay, currently starring in Caryl Churchill's new play at The Royal Court. Award winning writer Michael Chaplin works in consultation with philosopher and presenter of R4's The Philosopher's Arms, David Edmonds.

Written by Michael Chaplin

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4.

Joe and Hermione see the wife of Joe's friend with another man. What should Joe do? Tell his friend or keep quiet? Should we always tell the truth, especially when it almost certainly will have bad consequences? A moral dilemma in which Hermione's philosophical expertise is pitted against Joe's kindly humanity and knowledge of life. And when the dilemma's resolved, their friendship is strengthened too.

The Ferryhill Philosophers is about how we live our lives. A rather unlikely duo, Joe Snowball and the Hon. Hermione Pink inhabit two very different worlds, albeit only seven miles apart. He's an unemployed ex-miner living in Ferryhill, a small town forgotten by the world, and she's a slightly disenchanted philosophy lecturer at Durham University. Between them they wrestle with the collision between moral philosophy and the vexing dilemmas encountered by the not-always-good people of Ferryhill, deprived of jobs, opportunities and the kind of ethical guidance once offered by the Church and the Miners Unions.

The series stars Alun Armstrong (of TV's popular series New Tricks) and Deborah Findlay, currently starring in Caryl Churchill's new play at The Royal Court. Award winning writer Michael Chaplin works in consultation with philosopher and presenter of R4's The Philosopher's Arms, David Edmonds.

Written by Michael Chaplin

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4.

01

Drama

20150106

A rather unlikely duo, they come from two very different worlds, albeit only seven miles apart - Joe Snowball, unemployed ex-miner in a village forgotten by the world, and the Hon. Hermione Pink, slightly disenchanted senior lecturer at the third oldest university in England, an ivory tower almost encircled by the River Wear.

Together, they wrestle with the collision between moral philosophy and the sundry dilemmas encountered by the not-always-good people of Ferryhill, deprived of jobs, opportunities and the kind of ethical guidance once offered by the Methodist Church and the National Union of Mineworkers.

Should a man bent on suicide be stopped - or allowed to do as he wishes? Should one always tell the truth even if it has bad consequences?

The philosophy is thought provoking, the unlikely partnership is intriguing, and the world of Ferryhill is a humorous, engaging and sometimes challenging place to visit.

Written by Michael Chaplin

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4.

A rather unlikely duo, they come from two very different worlds, albeit only seven miles apart - Joe Snowball, unemployed ex-miner in a village forgotten by the world, and the Hon. Hermione Pink, slightly disenchanted senior lecturer at the third oldest university in England, an ivory tower almost encircled by the River Wear.

Together, they wrestle with the collision between moral philosophy and the sundry dilemmas encountered by the not-always-good people of Ferryhill, deprived of jobs, opportunities and the kind of ethical guidance once offered by the Methodist Church and the National Union of Mineworkers.

Should a man bent on suicide be stopped - or allowed to do as he wishes? Should one always tell the truth even if it has bad consequences?

The philosophy is thought provoking, the unlikely partnership is intriguing, and the world of Ferryhill is a humorous, engaging and sometimes challenging place to visit.

Written by Michael Chaplin

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4.

02

Drama

20150107

A rather unlikely duo, they come from two very different worlds, albeit only seven miles apart - Joe Snowball, unemployed ex-miner in a village forgotten by the world, and the Hon. Hermione Pink, slightly disenchanted senior lecturer at the third oldest university in England, an ivory tower almost encircled by the River Wear.

Together, they wrestle with the collision between moral philosophy and the sundry dilemmas encountered by the not-always-good people of Ferryhill, deprived of jobs, opportunities and the kind of ethical guidance once offered by the Methodist Church and the National Union of Mineworkers.

Should a jobless teenage girl be entitled to sell her body for sex? Should one always tell the truth even if it has bad consequences?

The philosophy is thought provoking, the unlikely partnership is intriguing, and the world of Ferryhill is a humorous, engaging and sometimes challenging place to visit.

Written by Michael Chaplin

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4.

A rather unlikely duo, they come from two very different worlds, albeit only seven miles apart - Joe Snowball, unemployed ex-miner in a village forgotten by the world, and the Hon. Hermione Pink, slightly disenchanted senior lecturer at the third oldest university in England, an ivory tower almost encircled by the River Wear.

Together, they wrestle with the collision between moral philosophy and the sundry dilemmas encountered by the not-always-good people of Ferryhill, deprived of jobs, opportunities and the kind of ethical guidance once offered by the Methodist Church and the National Union of Mineworkers.

Should a jobless teenage girl be entitled to sell her body for sex? Should one always tell the truth even if it has bad consequences?

The philosophy is thought provoking, the unlikely partnership is intriguing, and the world of Ferryhill is a humorous, engaging and sometimes challenging place to visit.

Written by Michael Chaplin

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4.

Episodes

Episode

Title

FirstBroadcast

Comments

Drama

20160204

Joe's aged mother's a strong character - but now frail, going blind, and incapable of looking after herself properly. The solution is for her to leave her home of 50 years and move into care, but in truth she wants to die now, with dignity - and she wants Joe to help her do this.

Joe is wracked by indecision. What's more important - Bella's security and happiness, or doing what is the morally right thing? Meanwhile Hermione faces a challenge in the care of her elderly demanding Dad.

The Ferryhill Philosophers is about how we live our lives. A rather unlikely duo, Joe Snowball and the Hon. Hermione Pink inhabit two very different worlds, albeit only seven miles apart. He's an unemployed ex-miner living in Ferryhill, a small town forgotten by the world, and she's a slightly disenchanted philosophy lecturer at Durham University. Between them they wrestle with the collision between moral philosophy and the vexing dilemmas encountered by the not-always-good people of Ferryhill, deprived of jobs, opportunities and the kind of ethical guidance once offered by the Church and the Miners Unions.

The series stars Alun Armstrong (of TV's popular series New Tricks) and Deborah Findlay, currently starring in Caryl Churchill's new play at The Royal Court. Award winning writer Michael Chaplin works in consultation with philosopher and presenter of R4's The Philosopher's Arms, David Edmonds.

Written by Michael Chaplin

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4.

Joe's aged mother's a strong character - but now frail, going blind, and incapable of looking after herself properly. The solution is for her to leave her home of 50 years and move into care, but in truth she wants to die now, with dignity - and she wants Joe to help her do this.

Joe is wracked by indecision. What's more important - Bella's security and happiness, or doing what is the morally right thing? Meanwhile Hermione faces a challenge in the care of her elderly demanding Dad.

The Ferryhill Philosophers is about how we live our lives. A rather unlikely duo, Joe Snowball and the Hon. Hermione Pink inhabit two very different worlds, albeit only seven miles apart. He's an unemployed ex-miner living in Ferryhill, a small town forgotten by the world, and she's a slightly disenchanted philosophy lecturer at Durham University. Between them they wrestle with the collision between moral philosophy and the vexing dilemmas encountered by the not-always-good people of Ferryhill, deprived of jobs, opportunities and the kind of ethical guidance once offered by the Church and the Miners Unions.

The series stars Alun Armstrong (of TV's popular series New Tricks) and Deborah Findlay, currently starring in Caryl Churchill's new play at The Royal Court. Award winning writer Michael Chaplin works in consultation with philosopher and presenter of R4's The Philosopher's Arms, David Edmonds.

Written by Michael Chaplin

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4.

Joe's aged mother's a strong character - but now frail, going blind, and incapable of looking after herself properly. The solution is for her to leave her home of 50 years and move into care, but in truth she wants to die now, with dignity - and she wants Joe to help her do this.

Joe is wracked by indecision. What's more important - Bella's security and happiness, or doing what is the morally right thing? Meanwhile Hermione faces a challenge in the care of her elderly demanding Dad.

The Ferryhill Philosophers is about how we live our lives. A rather unlikely duo, Joe Snowball and the Hon. Hermione Pink inhabit two very different worlds, albeit only seven miles apart. He's an unemployed ex-miner living in Ferryhill, a small town forgotten by the world, and she's a slightly disenchanted philosophy lecturer at Durham University. Between them they wrestle with the collision between moral philosophy and the vexing dilemmas encountered by the not-always-good people of Ferryhill, deprived of jobs, opportunities and the kind of ethical guidance once offered by the Church and the Miners Unions.

The series stars Alun Armstrong (of TV's popular series New Tricks) and Deborah Findlay, currently starring in Caryl Churchill's new play at The Royal Court. Award winning writer Michael Chaplin works in consultation with philosopher and presenter of R4's The Philosopher's Arms, David Edmonds.

Joe and Hermione see the wife of Joe's friend with another man. What should Joe do? Tell his friend or keep quiet? Should we always tell the truth, especially when it almost certainly will have bad consequences? A moral dilemma in which Hermione's philosophical expertise is pitted against Joe's kindly humanity and knowledge of life. And when the dilemma's resolved, their friendship is strengthened too.

The Ferryhill Philosophers is about how we live our lives. A rather unlikely duo, Joe Snowball and the Hon. Hermione Pink inhabit two very different worlds, albeit only seven miles apart. He's an unemployed ex-miner living in Ferryhill, a small town forgotten by the world, and she's a slightly disenchanted philosophy lecturer at Durham University. Between them they wrestle with the collision between moral philosophy and the vexing dilemmas encountered by the not-always-good people of Ferryhill, deprived of jobs, opportunities and the kind of ethical guidance once offered by the Church and the Miners Unions.

The series stars Alun Armstrong (of TV's popular series New Tricks) and Deborah Findlay, currently starring in Caryl Churchill's new play at The Royal Court. Award winning writer Michael Chaplin works in consultation with philosopher and presenter of R4's The Philosopher's Arms, David Edmonds.

Written by Michael Chaplin

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4.

Joe and Hermione see the wife of Joe's friend with another man. What should Joe do? Tell his friend or keep quiet? Should we always tell the truth, especially when it almost certainly will have bad consequences? A moral dilemma in which Hermione's philosophical expertise is pitted against Joe's kindly humanity and knowledge of life. And when the dilemma's resolved, their friendship is strengthened too.

The Ferryhill Philosophers is about how we live our lives. A rather unlikely duo, Joe Snowball and the Hon. Hermione Pink inhabit two very different worlds, albeit only seven miles apart. He's an unemployed ex-miner living in Ferryhill, a small town forgotten by the world, and she's a slightly disenchanted philosophy lecturer at Durham University. Between them they wrestle with the collision between moral philosophy and the vexing dilemmas encountered by the not-always-good people of Ferryhill, deprived of jobs, opportunities and the kind of ethical guidance once offered by the Church and the Miners Unions.

The series stars Alun Armstrong (of TV's popular series New Tricks) and Deborah Findlay, currently starring in Caryl Churchill's new play at The Royal Court. Award winning writer Michael Chaplin works in consultation with philosopher and presenter of R4's The Philosopher's Arms, David Edmonds.

Written by Michael Chaplin

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4.

01

Drama

20150106

A rather unlikely duo, they come from two very different worlds, albeit only seven miles apart - Joe Snowball, unemployed ex-miner in a village forgotten by the world, and the Hon. Hermione Pink, slightly disenchanted senior lecturer at the third oldest university in England, an ivory tower almost encircled by the River Wear.

Together, they wrestle with the collision between moral philosophy and the sundry dilemmas encountered by the not-always-good people of Ferryhill, deprived of jobs, opportunities and the kind of ethical guidance once offered by the Methodist Church and the National Union of Mineworkers.

Should a man bent on suicide be stopped - or allowed to do as he wishes? Should one always tell the truth even if it has bad consequences?

The philosophy is thought provoking, the unlikely partnership is intriguing, and the world of Ferryhill is a humorous, engaging and sometimes challenging place to visit.

Written by Michael Chaplin

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4.

A rather unlikely duo, they come from two very different worlds, albeit only seven miles apart - Joe Snowball, unemployed ex-miner in a village forgotten by the world, and the Hon. Hermione Pink, slightly disenchanted senior lecturer at the third oldest university in England, an ivory tower almost encircled by the River Wear.

Together, they wrestle with the collision between moral philosophy and the sundry dilemmas encountered by the not-always-good people of Ferryhill, deprived of jobs, opportunities and the kind of ethical guidance once offered by the Methodist Church and the National Union of Mineworkers.

Should a man bent on suicide be stopped - or allowed to do as he wishes? Should one always tell the truth even if it has bad consequences?

The philosophy is thought provoking, the unlikely partnership is intriguing, and the world of Ferryhill is a humorous, engaging and sometimes challenging place to visit.

Written by Michael Chaplin

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4.

02

Drama

20150107

A rather unlikely duo, they come from two very different worlds, albeit only seven miles apart - Joe Snowball, unemployed ex-miner in a village forgotten by the world, and the Hon. Hermione Pink, slightly disenchanted senior lecturer at the third oldest university in England, an ivory tower almost encircled by the River Wear.

Together, they wrestle with the collision between moral philosophy and the sundry dilemmas encountered by the not-always-good people of Ferryhill, deprived of jobs, opportunities and the kind of ethical guidance once offered by the Methodist Church and the National Union of Mineworkers.

Should a jobless teenage girl be entitled to sell her body for sex? Should one always tell the truth even if it has bad consequences?

The philosophy is thought provoking, the unlikely partnership is intriguing, and the world of Ferryhill is a humorous, engaging and sometimes challenging place to visit.

Written by Michael Chaplin

Directed by Marilyn Imrie

A Catherine Bailey production for BBC Radio 4.

A rather unlikely duo, they come from two very different worlds, albeit only seven miles apart - Joe Snowball, unemployed ex-miner in a village forgotten by the world, and the Hon. Hermione Pink, slightly disenchanted senior lecturer at the third oldest university in England, an ivory tower almost encircled by the River Wear.

Together, they wrestle with the collision between moral philosophy and the sundry dilemmas encountered by the not-always-good people of Ferryhill, deprived of jobs, opportunities and the kind of ethical guidance once offered by the Methodist Church and the National Union of Mineworkers.

Should a jobless teenage girl be entitled to sell her body for sex? Should one always tell the truth even if it has bad consequences?

The philosophy is thought provoking, the unlikely partnership is intriguing, and the world of Ferryhill is a humorous, engaging and sometimes challenging place to visit.